According to the coroner, Charles Kiessling, Lannetti had been
admitted to the hospital at 7 a.m. Saturday morning and died at
7:36 p.m. An autopsy Monday showed he died of a staph
infection.

"This is a sudden loss for all of us. Ricky was not only a fine
student-athlete but also an important member of the campus
community," said Frank Girardi, head football coach and director of
athletics. "He was an inspiration to us as a team and the support
he had from our student body can't be put into words. Our thoughts
and prayers are with his family."

Lannetti, a 5-10 senior out of Philadelphia and Father Judge High
School, had 70 catches for 955 yards and five scores in 2003 and
1,423 yards receiving for his career. His high school and college
teammate, Sean Hennigar, lost his brother, a walk-on at Penn State,
this past summer in a car accident.

Earlier Saturday evening Girardi talked with the football team and
they decided that Lannetti would want them to play this game.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of this fine young man and
outstanding football player," said president James E. Douthat. "Our
thoughts are with his family tonight."